Effect of low-temperature plasma on cotton fabric and its application to bleaching and dyeing

Abstract

The effect of plasma discharge on the properties of grey cotton fabric has been studied by varying power discharge and number of discharges. To obtain the desired properties of fabric with minimum mechanical and chemical damage to cellulose, the process parameters have been optimized. It is observed that the desired properties can be achieved if the fabric is treated with higher power discharge and for minimum number of discharges. To achieve a high degree of whiteness, a two-stage process is suggested wherein the plasma discharged fabric is further treated with hydrogen peroxide. An acceptable degree of whiteness for dyeing and optical brightening agent (OBA) treatment can be obtained by a two-stage process with the additional benefits of savings in time, thermal energy, water and chemicals. The dyeing property of two stage processed fabric has also been evaluated and compared with that of the fabric bleached with hydrogen peroxide by the conventional method. The fabric treated with plasma followed by hydrogen peroxide shows excellent dye adsorption even on using very low quantity of salt and a low dyeing temperature.